# On the River Iss explained — The Warlord of Mars > Chapter companion for The Warlord of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. ## What happens John Carter pursues the black warrior Thurid along the River Iss, reflecting on the false religion of the Holy Therns and the entombment of Dejah Thoris. He witnesses the horrors of the river's charnel islands and observes a secret meeting between Thurid and Matai Shang, indicating a conspiracy against him and his allies. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Disguise The false religion of the Holy Therns and the secret alliance between Thurid and Matai Shang highlight themes of deception and hidden motives. ### Adventure and Exploration John Carter's pursuit of Thurid along the River Iss, navigating dark caverns and dangerous currents, embodies adventure and exploration. ### Courage in the Face of Death John Carter's relentless pursuit despite the horrors of the charnel islands and the risk of discovery demonstrates courage in the face of death. ## Character check-ins ### John Carter Narrator and protagonist; pursues Thurid along the River Iss, haunted by the fate of Dejah Thoris. ### Thurid Black warrior being pursued by John Carter; meets secretly with Matai Shang. ### Matai Shang Father of Therns; meets Thurid in a boat on the Iss, indicating an alliance. ### Woola Faithful calot accompanying John Carter in the pursuit. ### Dejah Thoris John Carter's princess, entombed in the Temple of the Sun; her fate is unknown. ### Phaidor Daughter of Matai Shang; recalled in John Carter's memory for attacking Dejah Thoris with a dagger. ### Thuvia Red girl of Ptarth; remembered for leaping forward to prevent Phaidor's attack on Dejah Thoris. ### Xodar Black dator; mentioned as having helped bring truth to the outer world and later became Jeddak of the First Born. ## Key lines > For six long Martian months I had haunted the vicinity of the hateful Temple of the Sun, within whose slow-revolving shaft, far beneath the surface of Mars, my princess lay entombed—but whether alive or dead I knew not. John Carter spent six months near the Temple of the Sun, where his princess Dejah Thoris is trapped, uncertain if she is alive or dead. _Reflects John Carter's anguish and the central mystery of Dejah Thoris's fate._ > The plant men, with their bloodsucking hands, and the monstrous white apes that make Dor hideous by day, were hidden in their lairs for the night. The dangerous plant men and white apes of Dor are asleep at night, allowing John Carter to move more safely. _Highlights the perilous environment of the Valley Dor._ > Even now the low islands which dotted the broad stream were choked with the skeletons and half devoured carcasses of those who, through fear or a sudden awakening to the truth, had halted almost at the completion of their journey. The islands in the river are littered with the remains of pilgrims who realized the truth too late and died horribly. _Illustrates the grim aftermath of the false religion._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warlord_of_mars_se/chapters/i-on-the-river-iss - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warlord_of_mars_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_warlord_of_mars_se/chapters